1200 Government Street
Date of construction: 1897
Architect: Francis Mawson Rattenbury
Although he was not yet finished with the Legislative buildings,
Rattenbury won the competition to build the first new premises in
Victoria for the Bank of Montreal. The site was once occupied by the
home of Thomas Harris, Victoria's first mayor. The bank was the
architect's first work in the Chateau style, a blend of Renaissance
English and French architecture, that he would use to advantage in the
later Empress Hotel. The walls were sheathed in Nelson Island
ashlars of granite and Haddington Island stone. The interior featured
intricate plaster and fine woodwork. Located at the termination of View
Street, it was a landmark then and remains one today.
When the bank moved its headquarters to Douglas Street in 1925, this
became an office for the B. C. Bond Corporation (H. E. Boorman,
manager). In 1931, the premises were renovated and enlarged to serve as
a branch of the Bank of Montreal to relieve the stress on the Douglas
and Yates Street branch.
After use as a clothing store, the building was converted to the Irish
Times Pub in 2004. At that time, the plaster work was restored, wood
finishes were renewed and period lighting installed. This use continues
today.
This Hallmark Society project has been funded by the Hbc Foundation and the BC150-Heritage Legacy Fund.
Project manager and researcher: Helen Edwards.
Principal Photography & Consultant:
Ron Bukta, West Ventures Photography.